Crimes and Misdemeanors
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Movie Reviews of Crimes and Misdemeanors
Movie Review: Heads you win, tails I lose
Summary: 5 Stars
Allen has said on more than one occasion that he doesn't have the stuff to be a director/writer of the caliber of Bergman or Fellini. But in "Crimes and Misdemeanors" he comes up to the task. The film isn't just one of Allen's best (I'm comfortable with saying it's the very best he's ever made, except for the fact that, because Allen works in at least three genres, it's difficult to compare and contrast his films). In my judgment, it's one of the finest films in American cinema.
The film is really cut from the same cloth as the medieval passion play. It explores themes that involve morality and God. In a godless universe, does it make any sense to talk about right or wrong? In a universe in which there might be a god, but one who's apparently indifferent to us, are we free to act as we wish? Allen's conclusion seems to be not unlike Albert Camus' in The Myth of Sisyphus: the universe may or may not be godless, but it is absurd. Bad guys (as personified by Martin Landau's character) do what they do without apparent retribution or punishment, but may not be easy with their gains. Good guys (as personified by Woody Allen's character) do what they do without apparent reward or acclaim, and may be just as uneasy. Most of us are simply too self-absorbed and witless (Alan Alda's character) to know that, in the end, everybody loses.
A bleak image of human existence, perhaps. But (as in Bergman's worldview), it's lightened by fleeting moments of grace: falling in love, moments of wonderment and happiness, relating to young people. We all may be losers in the end, but that needn't make life totally miserable.
Performances in the film, especially Alan Alda's and Martin Landau's, are superb. The only exception is Angelica Huston's wooden performance. But insofar as she's got to be one of the most overrated actors in the business, one doesn't expect more from her, and thus is never really disappointed.
Easily five stars.
Movie Review: Not so Petty 'Crimes'
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the greatest dilemmas a director can face is making a likable, relatable film when nearly all the characters presented are thoroughly unlikable. This is one of the dilemmas Woody Allen faces with his film Crimes and Misdemeanors. Let's take a look at the main hero of the film. Here is a man, Judah, in an unhappy marriage caring on with another woman for over two years who decides it's time to kill her off before she releases his secret to his wife.
How can such a man be presented as likable? Well, Woody Allen's best decision is to make him an everyman. A man caught up in the situation in which he must face his demons head on. He has made a mistake and he must deal with the consequences of such mistake. In an ordinary Hollywood film, this would mean him being caught and forced to pay for the crime that he has committed. Such is not the case here. Sure he has some regret but, by facing and admitting to what he has done, he is able to move on with his life. One of the great strengths of this film is that it doesn't shy away from what Judah has done. It doesn't make light of it and it doesn't deny that it has happen.
He is simply a man who has made this mistake and is forced to go on with his life carrying this horrible mistake. Should he have gone to jail? You bet. Should he have told his wife about his adultery? Of course. But, that is not how life works. We live in a world where we don't always get what is coming to us. Great things happen to bad people everyday and vice versa. I don't believe this makes a bad guy, just a realistic one. By crafting a movie with a central character with real flaws, Woody Allen has created a movie of uncommon power. Four days after seeing it, I still can't get it out of my head. What a great film.
Movie Review: Allen Blends Comedy and Drama to Create a Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
Woody Allen's most creative film is a masterful blend of romantic comedy and gut-wrenching drama. This is perhaps his best film and certainly should be on anyone's list of top films of the 20th century.The parallel plots revolve around Clifford Stern (Woody Allen), a struggling documentary filmmaker trying to win a girl (Mia Farrow) away from his successful brother-in-law (Alan Alda), and Judah Rosenthal (Martin Landau), a prominent ophthalmologist who has an affair with a depressed stewardess (Angelica Houston). The performances are top-flight by all involved, but especially noteworthy are Allen and Landau, whose work here is probably the best of his career. Sam Waterston does a convincing turn as a Rabbi who provides conscience and counsel for Landau's conflicted character.
Both of the lead characters face a moral dilemma. Will Cliff Stern stay true to his ideals or will he sell out and do a lucrative film about his brother-in-law whom he despises? And will Dr. Rosenthal listen to his father's "voice" and his Rabbi's advice and admit his infidelity or choose a more sinister solution? The answers are revealed in a brilliant closing scene after a chance encounter between the two men.
This film is presented in a pleasing 16:9 widescreen version with excellent picture quality. The sound is mono only, which is true of most of Allen's films. The extras are limited to a trailer and a collectable booklet that features some behind the scenes tidbits from and about Allen.
Allen fans will no doubt add Crimes and Misdemeanors to their list of Woody's best along with Hannah and Her Sisters, Annie Hall, and Husbands and Wives. It is a remarkable film and will be remembered as an ambitious project that lived up to its potential in every way.
Movie Review: Is Being Bad Good?
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, what can I say about Crimes and Misdemeanors? I'd recommend it though I spent some of the last few minutes waiting for it to end so I could put in the 5th season of Six Feet Under. I have one week to watch the series so I have lot of ground to cover.
The essential plot points being an ophthalmologist having an affair where he want to break it off and she doesn't. She threatens him with telling his wife and revealing shady business deals. He eventually agrees to have her murdered. What's so wonderful about this is the distance between the words and meaning. Landau is sitting with his brother saying he doesn't want her killed but he really does. It's amazing what we do to avoid guilt. He's flanked by his other brother, sort an angel and fallen angel on either shoulder advising Landau how to handle the issue.
The other major plot point is Woody Allen who wants to leave his wife for a film producer played by Mia Farrow. The conflict is with Alan Alda's character, who also pursues Mia's character.
The essential questions have to do with love, the definition of love and the conflict between religion and practical day to day life. The scene where Martin Landdau's character goes into his old Jewish home witnessing a discussion of religion and morality pretty much settles the need to ever discuss religion again. The major conflicts between religion and morality, does it matter to do right are all settled here.
The endearing qualities of the movie have a lot to do with the relationships and the amazing ability of Woody Allen to communicate complex human dialogue. He's a writer/director acting at the peak of his intelligence.
Ok - now do I have time to watch Six Feet Under?
Movie Review: From a small infidelity to the meaning of existence.
Summary: 5 Stars
"We define ourselves by the choices we have made. We are in fact the sum total of our choices. . . It is only we with our capacity to love that gives meaning to the indifferent universe."
Woody Allen's work asks life's big questions, and this film is no exception. It follows a "small infidelity" to the meaning of existence. Set in New York City, Allen's 1989 Crimes and Misdemeanors tells the dark and cynical morality tale of Judah (Martin Landau), a successful ophthalmologist, and Cliff (Woody Allen ), a failed documentary filmmaker. Sam Waterston plays a rabbi going blind. While Judah is coping with the guilt of having his ex-mistress killed by a hit man, Cliff is attempting to cope with his obnoxious brother-in-law, Lester (Alan Alda), who has hired Cliff to film a television documentary about him. Still recovering from his failed marriage to Wendy (Joanna Gleason), Cliff falls for Lester's production assistant, Halley Reed (Mia Farrow). Lester eventually fires Cliff, and then begins competing for Halley's attention. The film ends on a rather bleak note, at a wedding "four months later." Judah and Cliff discuss the lessons they have learned from their moral dilemmas, with Cliff believing that one must bear his burdens forever, thereby paying for one's "crimes and misdemeanors" with the life he has been given. The voice-over at the end of the film (quoted above) not only sums up the whole point of the movie, but also sums up the whole point of our human existence.
G. Merritt